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6 Abb. Pr. 65

Smith v. Woodruff

New York Court of Common Pleas

Decided February 15, 1858

New York Court of Common Pleas · decided 1858-02-15

Motion by plaintiff to be relieved from personal liability for costs. This action was brought by William B. Smith, a receiver appointed in certain supplementary proceedings, against Samuel B, Woodruff. The plaintiff brought the action as such receiver, but brought it without leave of the court.

Cited by 1 later decisions — most recently April 1886

1 state decisions

Good law ✅— No negative treatment on recordhow we know

Decided 1858-02-15

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Hilton, J.

¶1Although a receiver appointed upon a proceeding supplementary to execution has general power and authority to sue for debts or demands belonging to the judgment debtor, yet when this power is exercised without the express authority, or sanction of the court, as a general rule, he ought not to be shielded from the payment of the costs which he may incur on his own behalf, or may put the opposing party to, in prosecuting an illegal claim.

¶2In all cases where he desires to prosecute or defend an action *66in his official character, without personal liability in the event of failure, he should first apply to the court for leave.

¶3Any other rule would enable him to bring needless and vexatious suits, and on failing to recover, not only charge the estate he represents with useless expenses, but impose the troubles and burdens of litigation upon others, while he would entirely escape responsibility.

¶4This action having been brought without leave of the court, the plaintiff prosecuted it at his peril, and should be left to the consequences of his own acts. (Phelps v. Cole, 3 Code R., 157; Supreme Court Rules, 77.)

¶5Motion denied, with costs.

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